RTE journalist Charlie Bird has presented two cheques totalling €3,376,000 to the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and Pieta following the unprecedented Climb with Charlie Campaign.
The handover took place in Merrion Square in Dublin at a ceremony earlier, which attended by Defence Forces Chief of Staff, Sean Clancy, the Army Band 2 Brigade, broadcaster Joe Duffy who acted as MC and several senior Defence Forces officers and non-commissioned officers who took part in the Croagh Patrick Climb. The cheques for €1,688,000 each were handed over by Charlie Bird to Lillian McGovern, Chief Executive of the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and Stephanie Manahan, Chief Executive of Pieta.
Climb With Charlie was an initiative set up by RTE star Charlie Bird following his terminal diagnosis of Motor Neurone Disease in November 2021 to help and show support for everyone who has to climb their own physical and mental mountains in their daily lives. On 2 April, Charlie climbed Croagh Patrick in Mayo with the help of his family and friends, inspiring thousands of people do almost two hundred separate Climb with Charlie fundraisers across Ireland, the US, South Africa, Australia and Spain.
Read more: Former RTE host Eoghan McDermott posts statement on 'devastating' split from girlfriend Aoife
The presentation of the cheques today kicked off at Merrion Square with a rousing performance from the 30 member Army Band 2 Brigade, which was led by conductor Captain Tom Kelly, as well as music later from Matt Molloy. RTE broadcaster Joe Duffy, acting as MC for the event, took to the mic to hail the courage and determination of his friend Charlie Bird.
He said: "We're here today because of one man, and one man decided when nothing short of tragedy befell him that he should instead of being a receiver be a giver. And that man is Charlie Bird."
Joe Duffy said that Charlie Bird's openness and sense of determination concerning his diagnosis with Motor Neurone Disease had "generated a feeling in this country". He said: "The feeling that Charlie has generated in less than a year has just been incredible."
Next to speak was Lt Sean Clancy Chief of Staff of the Irish Defence Forces, who said that Charlie's work over the last few months was a "triumph". Lt Clancy recalled watching Charlie's interview on the Late Late Show last year, praising him for his "courage, determination and resilience."
He said: "On a personal level but also on behalf of the Defence Forces we are honoured to have been able to in a small way to support you over the last number of months and in particular on 2 April. I think it's fair to say that the Climb With Charlie in April and what has followed since has had an enormous impact on society as a whole.
"As we came out of Covid, it created an epicentre for community again within our society, and that community was hugely evident on the climb at Croagh Patrick. And not only that but throughout the country, every corner of this land and indeed abroad, Irish men and women just decided to stand up and to walk or to climb and just participate, and that was all down to you Charlie," he added.
Read more: RTE star Pat Spillane breaks down in tears in final Sunday Game appearance
CEO of the Motor Neurone Disease Association, Lillian McGovern, said that the campaign to climb Croagh Patrick came from an idea in January and came which. She said: "What stood out to me most over the number of months was Charlie's line of reaching out the hand of friendship. In a sense the last seven months have demonstrated that."
In his speech to those gathered in Merrion Square, Charlie Bird said that today was "one of the most remarkable" days in his life. He referred to his career as a journalist with RTE and how close to Merrion Square he would be interviewing politicians as part of his work.
He said: "None of us knows what is around the corner for any of us, last October I was diagnosed with a terminal illness and I have had many dark days since then.
Read more: Martin King's wife Jenny McCarthy admits there are days she thinks about cancer returning
"But remarkably here this morning is one of the happiest days of my life, and the people I have to thank for this are the tens of thousands of people from all corners of Ireland and abroad who all made this day possible with your unwavering support for Climb With Charlie. For me the 2 April this year turned into a national day of kindness and friendship and celebration.
"This cheque which I have in my hand is for over €3 million is simply down to the support from so many kind people right across Ireland and many places abroad. This is your achievement, this cheque in my hand is all because of your amazing support for Climb With Charlie," he added.
Charlie thanked the voluntary team from Climb With Charlie for all their hard work, the emergency services, and the teams from the two charities involved as he presented them with the cheques.
Read next:
- Charlie Bird thanks public after charity climb reaches 'staggering' milestone of over €3 million
- Former Fair City star compares online dating experiences to 'The Tinder Swindler'
RTE Ryan Tubridy confirms radio replacements as he plans to go 'off the grid'
'He'd be the best grandad' - Bonnie Ryan opens up about moving on after dad Gerry's death
Get all the latest Dublin news straight to your inbox by signing up for the DublinLive newsletters here
